Advanced powered trigger system &#34;support mechanism&#34; for cage and or corral-type animal traps

ABSTRACT

An “advanced” powered trigger system for cage-type animal traps includes a catch member, a movable latch and a spring operable between the catch “Support Mechanism” and the latch feature to exert a force tending the latch feature toward powered disengagement from the cage door. A corresponding method of triggering a standard cage trap and other cage traps with multiple doors at odd angles and configurations to catch an animal or animals is provided with the aid of “Support mechanism”. “Support mechanism” creates an advanced powered trigger system when applied.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Technology—As years have progressed, the use of a “conibear trigger system” has evolved slowly. The use of “Support mechanism”, invention, speeds up the evolvement and uses in trapping considerations, setting new standards in cage trap, or corral trap use and invention.

The “Support mechanism” invention generally relates to animal traps. More so, the present invention relates to mounting a powered trigger system for cage-type animal traps on any trap or trap configuration on the back, side, bottom, top, and inside or outside of the cage. It allows the doors to be single, multiple, with many design configurations, enhancing the ability of the cage trap. The “Support mechanism” can be used in other applications with animals such as a device for the unassisted closing of a cattle chute.

Like uses—The standard conibear trap mechanism has been around for many years. The “Support mechanism” allows for that technology to be furthered and applied to other uses.

Cage trapping is old and well-known. It involves coaxing, baiting, or enticing an animal to enter a cage, allowing the animal to become trapped when a trigger mechanism is actuated by the animal while inside the cage by closing cage doors and locking the animal in. Cages are shaped like a square or rectangular box, usually. Most cages have one door and others, two, located at each end of the cage. The “Support mechanism” changes the standard and allows for more diverse use.

Trigger mechanisms have been used to actuate the closing of cage doors throughout history. It could be as simple as moving a stick with a string where as the stick is holding the box up. Most basic trigger systems just move a latch or slide from a door allowing the door to close when the animal steps on a pan or metal pad. The “Support mechanism” changes the allowable designs to more fit the designs needed for advanced methods for the catching of animals. It enhances new designs for cages with slow, fast, powered, or multiple door and door configurations.

Of the known trigger mechanisms problems exist with force on the pan in relationship to the doors, making the trap not function well with substantial door pressure. The “Support mechanism” sets president in allowing the trap to function. Door pressure is no longer the issue with the “support mechanism”, but puts the issue on strengths of cage design and its components.

INVENTION SUMMARY

The “Support mechanism” invention allows a powered trigger system to be mounted on the side, top, bottom, or on the doors of animal cage traps, large pen corral traps, and their accessories. The invention enhances the ability of cage and box type traps to function using a conibear-type powered function.

The main aspect of the invention is the ability to hold and allow a powered trigger system to be mounted on cage traps, corral traps, or their doors, at various positions and angles allowing for doors to be of multiple design and function with power, making the design of the traps only limited to the laws of physics.

THE DRAWINGS—DESCRIPTION

Aspects of this invention will be described in detail, with referencing the following figures. List of callouts is provided for guillotine door and fast door side-door traps.

FIG. 1 Left-hand isometric view of a cage-type side door (side entry) animal trap, with “Support mechanism” in place ready to function. Wire webbing for cage is left out for visual effect.

FIG. 2 Right-hand isometric view of guillotine-style side-entry door cage trap with “Support mechanism new invention.

FIG. 3 Support Mechanism & powered release rods, right-hand isometric view. Typical arrangement as manifest in guillotine-style, side-entry door cage trap.

FIG. 4 Guillotine-style side-entry door cage trap. Platform view, front elevation view, and side elevation view. Depicts support mechanism invention.

FIG. 5 Depicts pronounced view of “Support mechanism” invention and powering rods.

FIG. 6 Depicts st powered release rods relationship to door.

FIG. 7 Depicts “Support mechanism” for cage traps as a single-pull mechanism. A double “Support mechanism” will also serve same purpose and is considered a whole mechanism. The double is not shown.

FIG. 8 NOT DEPICTED IS A DOUBLE (push-pull) “SUPPORT mechanism”. Works as the same mechanism, but has sm powered release rod on both ends of “support mechanism”. A single pull type “support mechanism” is a derivative of a double-support mechanism. The double “support” mechanism not only pushes, but pulls.

FAST DOOR

FIG. 1 Powered Closure side -entry door cage trap with “Support mechanism” invention, left-hand isometric view.

FIG. 2 Powered closured side-entry door cage trap with “Support mechanism” invention, right-hand isometric view.

FIG. 3 Powered door assembly & powered lock rods, right-hand isometric view. Typical arrangement as manifest in powered closure side-entry door cage trap.

FIG. 4 Support mechanism, powered release rods, & powered lock rods. Right-hand isometric view.

FIG. 5 Powered closure side-entry door cage trap. (three view)

FIG. 6 Section A-A. Powered closure side-entry door cage trap showing how firing of trap is accomplished with powered “Support mechanism”.

FIG. 7 Depicts the powered closure relationship of the trigger and “Support mechanism” invention.

INVENTION—DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Description, in detail, will embody this invention, but understanding various changes and modifications may be made that will not take away or depart from scope and applied or appended claims. The overview and scope of the “Support mechanism” will in no way be limited to numbers of parts or components that constitute its make-up, shapes thereof, their arrangement relative to this application, etc. They are brought out for the purposes of example in showing or depicting possible uses embodying this invention. The uses, unique features, and advantages of the “Support mechanism” are illustrated and detailed in the drawings that accompany this application. Like reference numbers refer to like elements of components throughout drawings.

To preface the detailed description note that in the use of this appended claim and claims, also specification, the singular forms of “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural references unless the context says or dictates otherwise.

With reference to the drawings, FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 depicts an angled and front side perspective view of an embodiment of a side entry cage-type animal trap 1. The side entry cage-type trap 1 is formed generally in the shape of a box. However, those in the art should appreciate that traps may have any shape that has an interior volume large enough to house an animal to be trapped. Furthermore, the side entry cage-type trap 1 includes a covering or housing (not shown) fashioned of mesh, webbing, other crisscrossed pattern or design. It can be made of multiple structural elements. The side entry cage type trap 1 includes a powered trigger“Support mechanism 11 and complete with “dog” 13, A trigger 14, sm powered release rod 6, springs 8, shaft collars 7, sliding door 2, and restricting partition 10. Depiction shows sliding door 2 in the open position. The depiction is that of a single door, however multiple doors could be used or applied and not effect the operation of the “advanced powered trigger system” and “Support mechanism” 12. For example; another side entry door could be placed opposite of existing door as well as a direct entry door opposite of the “Support mechanism”. The doors may fire all at the same time through successive movements of placed powered release rods 5.

Referring further to the drawings, FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 depicts the relationship of all of the firing components of the guillotine side-door animal trap to their function on the trap. Support mechanism is engaged by pushing st powered release rod under door 2, then placing powered release rod 5 behind st powered release rod 2. Rod stop is not shown which holds them in place until support mechanism 12 is pushed into place which locks the dog over the trigger slot. When an animal pushes, grabs, pulls, moves the trigger 14 the sequence reverts from last to first releasing the door. Because of the powered support mechanism design the sliding doors may be powered not affecting the sensitivity of the trigger.

Embodiments of the “Support mechanism can be seen in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8. The “Support mechanism” is supporting the actions of its components so as to maximize the efficiency of their actions. It places in proper alignment its components and holds them at the correct angles and relationships so as to allow maximum support for their functions. Without the “Support mechanism” their functions would be limited and not allow for new trap design or modification.

Fast-Side Door Trap

With reference to drawings, FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and FIG. 3 for a fast door side-door powered closure trap depicts a left-hand and right-hand isometric view. The same or simulated aspects of a guillotine side door trap are much like the powered fast door trap. The difference is mainly seen in the door release 4, doors 2, door locks 5, and power of the door springs 10. The “support mechanism” function is the same, but is accomplished using a different release method. The pulling of the release bar 4 when the trigger in the support mechanism is moved after the mechanism is placed in the set position. Again this is made as a smooth function by the “support mechanism” invention 12.

Referring to drawings, FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and FIG. 3 for a fast door side—door trap. These drawings depict the relationship of the firing components of the fast door side-door trap. The trap is set by squeezing the lock rods 5 to release the door 2. Place the release bar 4 in the locked position as depicted in FIG. 1, when the door is raised. Pull the st powered release rod (angled)9 and at the same time push the support mechanism invention 12 to the set position. Place the st powered release rod 9 so as to engage the release bar when Support mechanism components 11 trigger is moved. When the support mechanism 11 component trigger is moved the sequence of events is reversed allowing for the release bar to be moved and the door 2 to close pushing the animal sideways into the trap. Like no other. The “Support mechanism” allows for this function to be repeated in a like manor on most or all cage, corral, or box type traps. The only limits are design and the laws of physics.

Keeping in conjunction with the specific references embodied in the out line above, it is evident that there are many alternatives, variations, and modifications. Variations will be most obvious to the experienced trapper, or user. The embodiments most liked are intended for illustration, not to be limited. Changes could be made without taking away or departing from the realm, scope, and spirit of the invention as described and defined in the presided and following claims. Claims give scope of the invention coverage and are not limited to a specific statement or example provided herein.

Powered Closure Side-Entry Door Cage Traps 12 Call Outs

1. Frame

2. Door

3. Bait Box-Slider

4. Release Bar

5. Lock Rods

6. Sm Powered Release Rod

7. Shaft Collar

8. Compression Spring

9. St Powered Release—Angled

10. Coil Springs

11. Support Mechanism (Invention) with components

12. Support Mechanism (Invention)

Guillotine-Style Side-Entry Door Cage Trap 16—Call Outs

1. Frame

2. Door

3. Bait Box-Slider

4. Guide

5. Powered Release Rod

6. SM Powered Release Rod

7. Shaft Collar

8. Compression Spring

9. ST Powered Release Rod

10. Restricting Partition

11. Support Mechanism With Components

12. Support Mechanism (Invention)

13. SM Dog

14. Trigger

15. Trigger-Dog Support

16. Dog Pivot-Support Bolt

Specification

A cage-type animal trap powered trigger apparatus “Support mechanism” that allows trigger to be mounted on side, end, bottom, or top of cage trap, having single, multiple, interior or external sliding or hinged doors.

An “advanced” powered trigger system for cage-type animal traps includes a catch member, a movable latch and a spring operable between the catch “Support Mechanism” and the latch feature to exert a force tending the latch feature toward powered disengagement from the cage door. A corresponding method of triggering a standard cage trap and other cage traps with multiple doors at odd angles and configurations to catch an animal or animals is provided with the aid of “Support mechanism”. “Support mechanism” creates an advanced powered trigger system when applied. 

1. A cage-type animal trap powered trigger apparatus “Support mechanism” comprising: a wire used as a trigger, protruding into the interior or exterior volume of a box or cage trap supported and held by the “Support mechanism”; a pivotal cam component, connected to the wire used as trigger mounted in the “Support mechanism”, configured to physically engage a structural element of the cage, the “Support mechanism” holding a “dog” being in operable contact with the cam component so that the “Support mechanism” becomes disengaged from the structural element of the cage when the wire trigger is moved causing the cam component to pivot and move the “Support mechanism” out of its engaged position; a movable latch feature, configured to physically engage a portion of a door of the trap to secure the door in an open position, the latch feature can be connected to the “Support mechanism” so that the latch feature becomes disengaged from the door allowing the door to close when the catch mechanism becomes disengaged from the structural element of the cage or can be engaged or disengaged by the force of the rods (rod) sliding and punching the latch, or sliding, releasing the resting door; and a spring, operable between the Support mechanism and the latch feature is there to exert a force punching or pulling the latch feature so as to have forced powered disengagement from the cage door when the “Support mechanism” is disengaged from the structural element of the cage.
 2. A cage-type animal trap powered trigger apparatus “Support mechanism” that allows trigger to be mounted on side, end, bottom, or top of cage trap, having single, multiple, interior or external sliding or hinged doors.
 3. A corral-type animal trap with advanced powered trigger system “Support mechanism” mounted on a door or door configurations attached to or used with corral-type trap for the operation of the door. Triggering of the door or doors can be accomplished with or without a protruding trigger by actuating “dog” to take the place of the cam-action of the trigger “Dog” is modified for this action.
 4. A device allowing the use of a powered wired trigger as a pan type configuration, or wire trigger configuration protruding into the cage from the top, the side, or sticking up from the bottom. The “Support Mechanism” allows the trap to function with powered doors that can be powered to the maximum strength of the components and not affect the sensitivity of the trigger to a very measurable degree.
 5. The “Support mechanism” allows the doors of the cage trap to be mounted on the side, bottom, or top, and still be fired or released with maximum spring tension or weight on the doors, unlike conventional cage traps. This allows the approaching animal to be caught by a shorter trap, changing when, the way, and how the animal is caught. Powered hinged side door traps made using this device literally will push the animal in the trap when “Support mechanism” and component parts are triggered. 